Further methods and apparatuses for dispensing and expanding expandable slit sheet material

Abstract

Various devices and methods for expanding and dispensing expandable slit sheet paper include a support member for a roll of expandable slit sheet paper. In some embodiments, the roll of expandable slit sheet paper has an interior core member and a roll of expandable slit sheet paper wound on said interior core member. The device preferably includes a tension device that is used to provide tension to resist rotation of the roll or the movement of the expandable slit sheet paper during use. The pressure of the tensioning device creates a friction required to enable the unexpanded slit sheet to be unwind and fed while simultaneously expanding.

1 . A device for dispensing expandable slit sheet paper, comprising:
 a roll of expandable slit sheet paper,   an interior core member,   wherein said roll of expandable slit sheet paper is wound on said interior core member,   means for variably applying a frictional resistance to the rotation of said core member by varyingly applying pressure on an interior of said core member.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further including a reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating the rigid pressure member. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said reciprocating mechanism includes a rotatable cam. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said means for variably applying a frictional resistance includes a rigid pressure member that includes a reciprocated shim. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said shim includes a curved outer surface that is movable towards and away from the inside surface of the core. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein said shim has a radius of curvature similar to that of the core. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein there is less than  3  shims. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein there is one shim such that pressure is applied in a single region by a surface of the one shim. 
     
     
         9 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A device for dispensing expandable slit sheet paper, comprising:
 a roll of expandable slit sheet paper,   an interior core member,   wherein said roll of expandable slit sheet paper is wound on said interior core member,   a core-attachment member configured to be fixed to the core for rotation with the core during use,   means for variably applying a frictional resistance to the rotation of said core member by varyingly applying pressure directly or indirectly to the core-attachment member.   
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein said means for variably applying a frictional resistance to the rotation of said core member by varyingly applying pressure directly or indirectly to the core-attachment member applies pressure directly to the core-attachment member. 
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein said core-attachment member is configured to be inserted at least partly within the interior of the core. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein said core-attachment member is press-fit within the core. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein said core-attachment member is secured to the core by one or more projectable member that extends outwardly to grip an interior of the core. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein said means for variably applying a frictional resistance to the rotation of said core member by varyingly applying directly or indirectly to the core-attachment member includes variably applying pressure with a rigid pressure member. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , further including a reciprocating mechanism for reciprocating the rigid pressure member. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said reciprocating mechanism includes a rotatable cam. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said rigid pressure member includes a reciprocated shim. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein said shim includes a curved outer surface that is movable towards and away from the inside surface of the core. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein said shim has a radius of curvature similar to that of the core. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein there is less than 3 shims. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein there is one shim such that pressure is applied in a single region by a surface of the one shim. 
     
     
         24 - 59 . (canceled)